to neutralize
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to neutralize
To cancel out or weaken the effect of something by creating an opposite effect. This is often used in chemical, physical, or figurative contexts.
Man kann eine Säure mit einer Lauge neutralisieren.
You can neutralize an acid with an alkali.
to neutralize
To render an opponent or threat harmless or eliminate it. This term is commonly used in military or police language.
Der Befehl lautete, die feindliche Stellung zu neutralisieren.
The order was to neutralize the enemy position.
to neutralize
To make a country or territory politically or militarily neutral so that it does not take part in conflicts.
Die Großmächte einigten sich darauf, das umstrittene Grenzgebiet zu neutralisieren.
The great powers agreed to neutralize the disputed border region.
The verb ends in '-isieren' (-ize). This ending is often used to form verbs from adjectives here: 'neutral' (neutral). It means putting something into the state described by the adjective, so making something 'neutral'.
Die neue Politik soll die wirtschaftlichen Unterschiede neutralisieren.
The new policy is intended to neutralize the economic differences.
'Neutralisieren' (to neutralize) always requires an accusative object. So the structure is: someone or something neutralizes something (accusative).
Ein spezieller Filter kann den schlechten Geruch neutralisieren.
A special filter can neutralize the bad smell.
In the chemical or figurative sense, the verb is often combined with things that have a strong effect. Typical phrases are: 'einen Geruch neutralisieren' (to neutralize a smell), 'eine Wirkung neutralisieren' (to neutralize an effect), or 'einen Geschmack neutralisieren' (to neutralize a taste).
Mit etwas Zucker kann man den sauren Geschmack der Soße neutralisieren.
With a little sugar, you can neutralize the sour taste of the sauce.
In the meaning 'unschädlich machen' (to render harmless), the word belongs to the technical language of the military and police. In everyday language, it is not used for people and can sound very detached or even aggressive.
Die Spezialeinheit hatte den Auftrag, die Gefahr zu neutralisieren.
The special unit had the task of neutralizing the threat.
to balance / equalize / settle
Both verbs can weaken a negative effect through a counteracting effect. Ausgleichen can also simply create a balance, while neutralisieren deliberately cancels out or strongly weakens the effect. Choose neutralisieren when the original effect is meant to become as ineffective as possible.
Die Gegenmaßnahme neutralisiert die negative Wirkung des neuen Plans weitgehend.
The countermeasure largely neutralizes the negative effect of the new plan.
Die Vorteile des neuen Plans gleichen seine Nachteile teilweise aus.
The advantages of the new plan partly offset its disadvantages.
